Todd Wants Key's Face

Key: *follows him also* >:)

*they walk, and they walk, and they walk, until they reach North Collins*

Todd: This is a pretty nasty distance form the last safehouse. D:

Harry: It's not like you suffer from lactic acid build-up anymore.

Todd: Well, no... but still! D:<

*the scream of a Smoker echoes in the distance*

Harry: *he readies his gun* ... I don't see it...

Todd: *nervous* yeah, well, it sees us! D:

Key: *looks around* Todd, can you tell where it is?

Todd: The buildings around us are making it hard to tell... all the noise is bouncing off of everything...

*a Hunter pounces on Todd*

Todd: AAAHH!! D8

Hunter: *starts slashing at him*

Harry: Todd! *before he can raise his gun, the Smoker shoots it's tongue, which wraps around Harry's neck*

Smoker: *drags Harry, suffocating him*

Key: !!! *turns and fires a few shots into the Hunter's back and shoulders-and hopefully its head- then runs to try and get a better angle to kill the smoker, hoping that the Hunter would at least be distracted enough for Todd to throw it off* D:>

Hunter: *hisses angrily at Key, when suddenly -*

Todd: *shoves it off, then proceeds to disembowel the HUNTER in a pain-induced rage* RRYYYYEEE!!

Hunter: *all like "D8"*

Harry: *choking* sp-spotted... it on - hhh - the roof of... building! Beh-behind me...! *coughs*

Smoker: *choking him*

Key: *looks in the direction Harry suggested, and sees it. she proceeds to aim both guns at the thing and shoot at where the tongue was coming out of*

Smoker: *it's death cry echoes, and a plume of greenish smoke appears where it died*

Harry: *rips the tongue off of him, catching his breath* th... thanks... again...

Todd: *still disembowels the Hunter, until it finally fully collapsed, dead* rrrr... *he gets off the body, and shakes himself off* ... I am NEVER going to get used to that weirdo instinct-driven killing mechanism I've got.

Key: *to Harry* no problem... *looks over at Todd, back to Harry, and frowns* you two okay...?

Harry: Well, think about it... we were almost killed by the very things we were supposed to become...

Todd: I agree. That's kinda... unnerving. D:

Harry: If you weren't here, we'd probably both wind up dead. Thank you.

Todd: Yeah, thanks! :D

Key: *laughs a bit, slightly embarassed* Hey, it was nothing, really... I mean, that's what friends are for, right? :)

Todd: *he grins*

Harry: not to ruin the moment, but we need to keep moving.

Key: *awkwardly rubs the back of her neck* guyyyys. sleep. go. now. *looks at Harry* that means you.

Me: brb.

Harry: Right, right... *he slowly walks over to the couch, and tries to fall asleep on it*

Todd: >_>; ... *looks out the safehouse door*

Key: *sits down against a wall with a sigh. she looks over at Todd* ...g'night you two. *closes her eyes and tries to sleep*

Harry: mmh.

Todd: Good night! ^^

*the next morning*

Harry: *searching around for something to have as breakfast, muttering to himself under his breath*

Todd: Did you try the kitchen?

Harry: Kitchen?

Todd: People used to live here. It's a house, remember?

Harry: ... oh... *walks over to the kitchen*

Key: *is waking up* mmmh. g'mornin'..... *yawns*

Todd: Good morning! ^^

Harry: *comes back with a bag of carrots, and a jar of pickles* I recommend choosing one of them, not both. Carrots and pickles make a disgusting combination.

Todd: XC

Key: it sure sounds like it would.... XP *reaches for the bag of carrots*

Harry: *hands the bag to Key*

Todd: I will gladly take a pickle, good sir.

Harry: *snorts and lets Todd take a pickle*

Todd: Yaaay. :D *munches on his pickle*

Harry: *waits for Key to be done with the carrots*

Me: ... *roflmfao*

Key: *grabs a carrot or two hand hands the bag back to Harry. then, she omnomnoms it.*

Harry: *grabs a few as well, and eats them quickly*

*they finish up quickly*

Harry: ... *he searches around for his armor, which he eventually finds. Harry puts it back on, and takes his gun bag... but he decides to leave the gas mask*

Todd: You're not taking it?

Harry: There's no point anymore.

Key: *realizes that she's the only one that hasn't been infected yet... and that she probably never will be. she frowns, grabs her bag, and takes her guns out* alright, let's go.

Harry: *takes out his shotgun, nods, unbars the safehouse door, then forcefully kicks it open*

Todd: *jumps at the loud noise it makes - mostly because it's extra loud for him*

Infected: *come running, screaming*

Harry: *gladly starts mowing them down*

Key: *joins Harry and starts picking off stragglers until there are no more left*

Harry: *jerks his head towards the road* c'mon.

Todd: *follows him* :)

Key: *turns a deep shade of red and turns her face away from his hand, so her bangs fall back into place. she reaches back to pull her hood back up again*

Todd: *puts a hand on her hood to stop her* Wait a sec... why're you gonna go put that thing back up? You look perfectly fine with it down. <:/

Harry: *...*

Key: *momentarily glances up at Todd, then puts her arm back down. she remembers how all of her friends asked her the same question, and how she always had an answer prepared...but she didn't have one this time.* .......

Todd: If you're really so self-conscious, then here... *he takes his hood down* now you're not alone. =^^=

Harry: *...*

Key: *looks up at Todd when he says this, and holds his somewhat-invisible gaze of a few seconds, causing a bit of an awkward silence. he honestly wasn't that bad looking either, if you ignored the lack of eyes...*

Harry: *groans*

Todd: ! *he turns around to find Harry trying to get up* Oh, hey! You're still wounded, don't move! D:

Harry: wh-what...?

Key: oh! *mentally kicks herself for being stupid and runs to grab a med-kit. she starts pulling stuff out of it as soon as she gets back*

Harry: ...Oh god... I almost shot you two...

Todd: And I threatened to kill you. Crazy how the Green Flu does that to people.

Harry: *suddenly freaks out* W-wait! You used the cure on me?? D8

Todd: ... we... we had to, Harry...

Harry: ... we were so close...

Me: NOTE - Harry still looks infected now, with half of his face and neck being dry and cracked, and his eyes still being freakish with reflective film over them. They got to him before it really started to effect him, however (ewwwww Smoker, EWWWWW...)

Key: well... on the bright side, you're not infected anymore. *looks him over, and notices the where dry spots were* ....i think you might've been turning into a smoker...

Me: AWWW, really? fwack. poor Key's the only normal-looking one left. D: well, she still has that scar over her eye.

Me: I forgot to mention that his skin's all grey-blue now. XD

Harry: *he freezes up and stares at Key in horror* Oh god, no... no, no...

Todd: *remembers that whenever Harry mentioned having a nightmare, it was always something about him as a Smoker* D:> Well you're not turning into one NOW... you're better! <:D

Harry: *is very silent, until he finally shudders, remembering what he was supposed to look like. What he was supposed to do*

Key: *mentally kicks herself again for saying anything at all* Harry... you're still injured, i need to bandage you. *to Todd* can you help sit him up?

Todd: *carefully sits Harry up on the couch, making sure that he doesn't touch his friend's back or side, where he was hit by the Witch's claws* there ya go...

Harry: ... you... never understood... never knew... did you, Todd?

Todd: What? <:/

Harry: ... why killing Sam was as horrible for me as it was... you didn't love her like I did...

Todd: D:> ... Harry... I didn't... I mean...

Harry: No... I made sure you never knew... I didn't want things to get complicated... all I could do was watch you two longingly...

Todd: ...If Sam knew, I'm sure that -

Harry: Todd. Sam thought I was a creepy loser with no real social life. And she was right...

Todd: No... no, you're wrong, Harry...

Harry: You only think that because you were my only friend in college...

Me: *points at above post* that apparently took ten minutes to write. XD

Key: *stays out of the conversation and decides to listen while she bandages his wounds* ...

Harry: *can't take it anymore. He breaks down sobbing, desperately trying to hide it from them with a hand. Failing*

Todd: *seeing Harry cry is an incredibly rare event - even for him - Harry usually didn't show very much emotion, especially since they all started traveling together* H-Harry... D:>

Me: EIGHT minutes, damnit.

Key: *was basically done bandaging when he broke down, and she was so caught off-guard she took a step back. she doesn't know what to do. she looks at Todd worriedly, and mouths to him* what do we do?

Todd: *he shrugs* D:> ...

Harry: *he desperately tries composing himself, as his break-down has completely ruined his mask of calm. He fails* I-I'm fine... I'm okay... ghh... *the reality was, he was just as scared as they were*

Todd: Harry... do you need some time alone?

Harry: *he wordlessly nods, holding back another sob*

Todd: Alright... *he motions for Key to follow him, then moves away from Harry, and goes into another room in the house*

Me: lol they got a room. *is shot. multiple times.*

*IN DA ROOM*

Key: ... *really doesn't know what to say. Her and Harry had more in common than they thought--they had hidden their thoughts and feelings under lock and key until they couldn't stand the pressure anymore. Todd was right; what Harry needed was time* ..... *sighs* i wish it didn't have to take an apocalypse to get people to be honest with each other...

Todd: ... wouldn't that be one hell of a life, huh? If people were honest with each other, minus zombies... maybe Harry will be more open to us after this... I mean, there's no point in hiding that shoot away anymore - the jig is up with him.

Key: i hope so... i mean, deep down, he MUST be a nice guy, right? after all, you two were friends before this. still are. *nods to herself, as if she had answered her own question*

Todd: Well... yeah. But it used to be kinda hard for him to fit in with anybody besides me... so he withdrew himself from everyone, and got a little snarky... now it's like it got ten times worse with him, only his snarkiness was replaced with... anger... this freakish ANGER.. But no. You're right. He's still Harry. Deep down, he's still... yeah...

Key: ah... *absently rubs her arm as she stares at the ceiling* funny, i was kind of the same way... i could count the amount of good friends i had on one hand, including... *trails off* only... instead of getting snarky... i just got quieter. then came the hoodies. the rest is history, i guess...

Todd: Well, I've seen you completely SILENT, and must say, I like you more when you're talking to me. :P *adds* Oh, and... please don't go hiding your face like that, anymore... I don't have eyes. I have something to hide... you, on the other hand... *his voice gets softer* you should never hide something so... *he stops himself, and looks away form her. No. Not now. That would be complicated. That would be WRONG...*

Key: *barely manages to catch the last part of what he said, and snaps her head down to look at him. his expression finished his sentence for him, and Key looked down at the floor, blushing. That's been happening a lot lately... she looked back up and smiled at him, praying that her hair hid her face enough to conceal her redness. maybe he wouldn't notice she heard that last bit.* Alright. I won't. *walks a bit closer towards him, and is forced to look up since he's a head taller than her* You know, I never really notice the eyes anymore, since you get around better than Harry and I do. But... I'm curious... *a bit quieter* what color were they?

Todd: *smiles at her sheepishly* ... blue. A darkish kinda blue. *jokingly* I think I'd be more willing to part with them if they were brown, considering how common that color is.

Key: *tries to imagine it* ...heh. Wish I could've seen them. *pouts and crosses her arms* mine are just brown. bleh. You're right, it IS way too common.

Todd: Well, I think you pull it off rather nicely. :P

Key: *shrugs* I guess it's just because the curtains match the windows.

Todd: *shrugs* Maybe so. Either way, you look good with brown eyes. Too bad you hide nearly all the time.

Key: mmmh. *pulls at her bangs* haven't had the time to get a haircut. made no sense to cut it if no one would see it, anyway. *sighs*

Todd: Heh...

*there's a knock on the door*

Todd: ! *he quickly moves to open it* Harry?

Harry: *he is no longer crying, and, in fact, is even smiling. Though the smile is still weak* I-I'm okay now... it kinda felt good to get that out of my system...

Todd: Well DUH! Honestly, if you had THAT MUCH bottled up, I'm wondering how you didn't explode!

Harry: *laughs a bit at this* ... magic. We'll just leave it at that.

Key: *is pleasantly surprised by the change* Magic is a powerful thing, huh? *grins*

Harry: I... uh... I guess so. *he rubs the back of his neck, and winces when he feels the disturbing lumps that had permanently formed there* I certainly acted like a dick, huh?

Todd: Well... you... DID murder that guy...

Harry: I'll try to be a bit... better. About all of this.

Todd: Does this mean old Harry is back? :D

Harry: ... mostly.

Todd: *lets out a comically happy squeal*

Key: pffffffft... *claps a hand over her mouth to keep herself from bursting out laughing... but gives up and does so anyway* XD

Todd: *grins at this*

Harry: *starts laughing a little himself*

Key: *manages to reduce her fit of laughter into giggles* i was... NOT expecting that... XD

Todd: You'd be surprised at what I can do. ;P

Harry: Speaking of what you can't do, I think it would be a good idea to get some sleep. It's been a long day.

Todd: Right... uh... yeah.

Key: *a bit more serious now* yeah, you're right. *to Harry* Make sure not to move around too much... i don't want to have to keep re-bandaging you. XP

Harry: That would get awkward.

Todd: Awkward, indeed. ._.

Harry: Oh shut it. You LIKED it when she bandaged you.

Todd: Nuh-no! D:

Key: D8 *realizes she's the only one with a gun, and the only one who could possibly save Harry. she wrenches her arm out of Todd's grip, and starts taking shots at the witch with exteme prejudice, most-if not all-of the shots hitting their mark*

Witch: *doesn't stop attacking Harry until her eventual fall. she gives out one last pathetic cry*

Harry: *his armor repairs itself, but it is now stained with his blood. He's having a hard time getting up* nn... hhgh... *he is in shock, and having a hard time registering what just happened*

Todd: Oh god... oh god, no...

*they are now officially out of the factory*

Todd: *he runs over, and helps Harry up, placing Harry's arm around his neck for support* Oh no... no, oh no... Harry... c-can you walk? Please tell me you can walk! The safehouse is really close, Harry, just... oh god...

Harry: *not answering Todd*

Todd: *is panicking* D8 !! *to Key* Come on! We need to get to the safehouse!

Key: *hurriedly places Harry's other arm around her shoulders so she can help move him along. she keeps a gun in her free hand for protection. better safe than sorry, they had a big enough problem as it was*

Me: Better safe than sorry? Lolololol Church Guy.

*as they drew closer and closer to the safehouse, Harry's steps became more heavy, and drunken. Finally, he altogether collapsed on them*

Todd: Aw, Harry please don't do this... D8>

*They reach the safehouse, which was an actual house*

Todd: *he puts Harry on a couch*

Harry: *is coughing. It sounds painful*

Todd: ... why couldn't you have been immune...? *he pulls off Harry's gas mask*

Harry: *his left side of his face is cracked and dry looking. The same went for his neck. His skin was now Todd's color - grey-blue from thinned blood. Finally, the irises in his eyes were a milky white, the pupils now barely visible. What seemed even more strange about them, however, was the fact that his eyes now seemed reflective, like a cat's eyes in the darkness. Harry, himself, seemed very lost, confused, and quite fearful*

Todd: God, Harry, no... the... the cure... we can't... GOD! I hate this!

Key: *sees the serious dillema they're in. they can easily cure Harry right then and there, but then they will have none left to take back to the safe zone... she opens her bag and pulls out the vial containing the cure* ...Todd... I... *holds the vial out towards Todd* Do it.

Todd: *is hesitant with taking the cure. As much as he wants to, this would mean that the world would never be normal again. They couldn't simply go back and ask for more from the CEDA workers - they were no doubt dead now, anyway. But Harry... he couldn't lose Harry to the infection. It wouldn't be right*

Harry: * unfortunately, he was still holding his shotgun. He suddenly points it at them both. He speaks, but his voice is consumed by hate and fear - fear of THEM* STAY THE frack AWAY FROM ME.

Todd: Harry... D8> ...

Key: *doesn't try to make a move. she knows Harry will shoot them if they try ANYTHING* ...Harry... we can...

Harry: CAN WHAT?? *he readies the gun, then ends up going into a coughing fit*

Todd: *while Harry is coughing, he whispers to Key* ... ok... ok, give me the syringe...

Key: *quickly passes him the syringe, making sure neither of them were going to drop it. she whispers* quickly...!

Todd: wait... wait, he's still wearing his armor... CRAP... how the hell are we gonna - ? *idea!* *he creeps over to Harry*

Harry: *he finally stops coughing, and gets his gun back up and ready to shoot them*

Todd: *had managed to creep over close enough to quickly grab Harry by his head, and smash him into the wall with enough force to knock to him out*

Harry: !!!! *is successfully knocked out*

Todd: *quickly turns him over and starts taking his armor off* ... I hope he's wearing clothes under this...

Key: *sweatdrops, and goes to help Todd with the armor* I don't think that's important right now, Todd. Besides, I grabbed him a t-shirt, remember?

Todd: I know. Just trying to make this a little... less awful... *finally takes all of Harry's armor off*

Harry: *Is now left wearing the black shirt Key gave him, and his jeans*

Todd: Alright... *he stabs Harry in arm*

Harry: *doesn't stir*

Todd: Ok... so... he should be ok now... but... nnngh... now... now we don't have anything to give the military in the Safe Zone...

Key: *relaxes, and sits on the ground* well... at least he's going to be okay now... I didn't want you to go through what i did the last few days... i didn't want to see you like that. *looks down* and... Harry's my friend too.

Todd: *gives Key a sad smile* well... that's a good reason... heh...

Harry: *...*

Key: ...did you know he was the first person I came across that didn't try to hurt me? Even though I almost shot you? *catches what she just said* a-ah, that was before you were cured, y-you know. Y-you got away from him.

Todd: *makes a "8C" face until the situation is explained* uh... oh... so he didn't, like, attack you or anything when you nearly shot me... but he freaked out at... *doesn't mention Alex* anyone else with a gun... I wonder why that is? Oh well. *he smirks* I forgive you for almost shooting me.

Harry: *...*

Key: thanks... *looks a bit relieved* ...maybe he took pity on me? Or maybe it was because i didn't try to kill you even after he explained that you were with him... i'm pretty sure eveyone else would've tried to shoot you anyway...

Todd: ... huh... *looks over to Key, and now seems bothered that he can't fully see her face* Hey Key? Could you... take your hood down, maybe? I know that seems kinda weird, but I haven't really seen your face... and I'm... uh... curious.

Harry: *...*

Key: !! *looks over at him, suprised. it's the first time anyone's expressed interest in seeing her face in a long while... usually people just ask her WHY she wears it. she mulls it over for a minute, biting her lip* ...okay. *reaches up with one hand, and pulls the hood back. she keeps her head down, so her bangs still cover a decent amount of her face* ...

Todd: *gives her a half-smile* ... you're cheating. *he gently leans over and moves her bangs away from her face. He is surprised, and can't help but say quietly to himself* ... oh wow...

Harry: *...*

Key: *eats her sadwich as fast as she possibly can, then grabs her bag and takes her guns out of it* ...i'm ready.

Me: SADWICH! XDDDD

Todd: *finishes his as well* So am I!

Harry: *puts on his gas mask and grabs his gun bag* alright then. Let's go.

*they leave*

Me: DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUN.

Me: that was totally on purpose. *nose grows* damnit.

*OUTSIDE*

Key: *looks around. it was a bit too quiet...* ...where to?

Harry: ... just... north...

Todd: Um... ok...?

*they walk for an hour, then reach a blockade. There is a hole in this blockade however, in an old, run down candy factory of some sort*

Todd: I hear... crying? Are there people in there??

Harry: *he freezes up* oh no... no, no, no... we... have to go through THERE...? *he is terrified. It shows*

Todd: *doesn't understand why* ... Harry?

Harry: *he checks his shotgun, then remembers that it will ALWAYS be fully loaded, and sighs with relief* You hear a witch, Todd... and that crying is going to stir some pretty nasty memories... let's head in...

Key: *in a very tiny voice* w-witches...!? *goes silent after entering the factory. WITCHES! if there was more than one, going in there could-no, WOULD-be suicide!*

Todd: ... well, we've taken on a TANK... how bad could a witch be? It just seems like a sad little girl...

Harry: ... you don't understand... and hopefully, you never will...

*they enter the factory*

Witches: *there are quite a few there. Some are even in groups. It is a deathtrap*

Harry: *in a very quiet whisper* we can do this... we just need to walk fast, and quietly. Don't bump into them. Don't do ANYTHING to them.

Todd: *keeps his whisper at Harry's level* uhh... ok.

Key: *takes a deep breath to calm herself. one false move, and they were all dead. no second chances*

Me: ok, you're taking the wheel on this one, i have no clue what to do here. XD

Me: lolkay. XP

*the group is forced to tread very carefully on the witches' grounds. They were the trespassers. The witches would show no mercy if broken from their stupor*

Harry: *us very very panic-y*

Todd: *doesn't get it*

*soon...*

Harry: *in an excited whisper* Look! Look, the exit! The - ... frack. frack, frack, frack...

*there is a witch right near the exit, crying her eye out. It was like God himself had personally flipped them off*

Key: *mentally swears. loudly. but speaks in a whisper* i-i'll do it.

Todd: *doesn't like this plan at all. Still, he whispers his answer* No!

Harry: I... I'll do it. I... killed Sam while she was a witch... I have more experience... and I'm the one with the shotgun.

Me: truth me told, the only possible way to cr0wn a witch is with a shotgun.

Key: ... *whispers* okay. *takes a few steps back, pulling Todd back with her*

Me: this is why you're driving right now. XD

Harry: *he steps forward. He is shaking in fear, and, sadly, despair. Sam's death was terrible for him, and now he had to relive it. Harry raised the shotgun near the witch's head*

Witch: *snaps her head to face him, and starts giving off a warning growl, her glowing eyes burning into his*

Todd: *still whispering* oh shoot...

Harry: *he tries to take aim, he really does, but he's shaking so bad that he can't really aim. Finally, he sucks in his breath, fires, and... misses*

Witch: AAIIIIEEEEE!!

Harry: *he immediately starts running* RUN!

Todd: D8 !!! *does as told, and pulls Key with him*

*they run in the direction of the exit*

Witch: *runs much faster than Harry can, and manages to slash at his side. The force is so powerful, and her claws are sharp enough to puncture through Harry's armor, and injure him*

Harry: AHH!! *he falls down form the sudden pain, incapacitated*

Witch: *starts slashing at his back* AAAIIIIHHHH!!

Todd: Harry!! D8

Key: ... *levels her guns and starts firing into the crowd. it's rather hard for her to NOT hit anything, and she manages to take out a few infected*

Harry: *shoots the infected*

Todd: *slashes at them*

*they eventually all fall*

Harry: Alright, let's GET OUT OF HERE.

Todd: *nods, and motions for Key to follow*

*the tension between Harry and Todd seems to be evaporating like water to steam. Soon things were nearly close to normal*

Harry: I see a safehouse. It seemed this one was close this time.

Todd: Yay! :D

Key: *relaxes a bit, because of both the proximity of the safehouse and the tension evaporation* ... :)

Harry: *tries to open the safehouse door*

Safehouse door: *refuses to budge. It's been barred*

Red Haired Crazy Guy: NO! NO!! NO ONE GETS IN!!

Harry: Wait... I know you...

RHCG: Wh-wh-what? You're... from that place! That one place! The Between World! You must be human, then! Haha, yes! Yes! *he opens the door with a smile*

Harry: *immediately shoots the guy in the gut*

RHCG: AUGH! *falls down, and now has a painful hour or two to live* auhh... why...?

Harry: *steps over him, not answering the guy* Come on, you two.

Todd: D8 ... oh my god - oh my god, you just SHOT HIM!

Harry: So what? He's an enemy.

RHCG: Nuoohh... you... helped us escape... all of us... d-didn't know the world would b-be like this when we... got back... wh-why would you... shoot meee...?

Harry: No one is going to remind me of what happened there... NO ONE.

RHCG: th-thought you had a bat, not a fracking GUN...

Harry: *kicks the guy*

RHCG: AAHHAAHHHHGH!!

Todd: STOP, STOP IT! D8>

Harry: *hissing between his teeth* no...

Key: !!! *moves as if to get between Harry and the other man, but fears the he'll hurt her if she did... so she stops*

Todd: *can only watch in horror, mumbling half-gibberish* wh-what... h-how can... y...?

Harry: *throws the guy out of the safehouse, then bars the door*

Todd: *finally regains his composure* WHAT THE shoot IS WRONG WITH YOU??

Harry: He was infected, anyway.

Todd: SO YOU SHOT HIM WHERE IT'LL HURT THE MOST, AND LAST THE LONGEST??

Harry: ... yes.

Key: *is even more in shock now. survival instincts say RUN, so... she puts her bag down, and goes as far into the safehouse as she can, without saying a word*

Harry: *he ignores both Todd's glaring, and the man's screams from outside the safehouse*

Todd: *he walks over to Key. The safehouse is much smaller this time - a post office* Well then...

Key: *was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, staring at the floor. she looks up at Todd questioningly, hoping he could explain Harry's behavior somehow* ...

Todd: *desperately trying to justify Harry's actions* well... uh... he WAS infected... *turns to look back at Harry*

Harry: *almost seems to be half awake, mumbling something under his breath, and completely absorbed in his own thoughts. If anything, he seemed upset, like the infected man's words had gotten to him on some emotional level*

Todd: ... things will get better in the Safe Zone...

Key: *isn't totally convinced. she sighs, the first soind she's made in a while, and resumes staring at the floor. hopefully, things WILL change* ...

Todd: Let's get some sleep... or, y'know... YOU should get some sleep. *calls to Harry* same to you too!

Harry: *snaps out of his daze* wh-what...?

Todd: Sleep! You! Go!

Harry: ... oh... *he finds a place to sit, away from them*

Todd: ...and I will ignore what happened today. I will pretend it never happened.

Key: ... *nods in agreement, then slides down the wall into a sitting position, settling into her usual curled-up position. she looks back up at Todd, almost expectantly. She was more scared of Harry's unpredictable rages than Todd's hunter appearance now...*

Todd: *is confused by Key, and couldn't quite understand what she wanted for a few seconds, when it suddenly clicked* ... oh. Um... ok... *he sits next to her*

Harry: *trying to sleep*

Key: *scooches close enough so that their shoulders touch, and buries her face in her arms again, trying to force herself to fall asleep. she feels a bit more at ease with Todd around*

Todd: *he feels Key's warmth as her shoulder touches his. Poor Key must've felt awfully scared of Harry for her to be wanting to be near HIM... unless of course, Key truly did feel comfortable around him. This seemed impossible, Todd thought, as he was practically no longer a part of the human race. He was, indeed, a freak, and people do NOT get comfortable around FREAKS. Especially since he looked like the thing that killed Alex. Especially that, indeed.*

Harry: *now asleep*

Key: *contrary to Todd's belief, she actually IS comfortable near him. ever since they cured him, and especially after... alex's death (she stifles a sob at the thought), she's been doing her best to see Todd as just another person rather than an ex-infected. it's helped her see past his appearance, and greatly reduced her fear of him... and... she knows it's not his fault Alex died. sure, he probably will never look like a human again, but... she unconsciously rests her head on his shoulder as she stares off into space, a few tears gathering in her eyes* ....

Me: awww. XD

Todd: ! *he is surprised by her actions, but welcomes them fully. It makes him feel warm and fuzzy, and actually wanted. Tod, however, noticed the tears that were forming from underneath her hood* *in a whisper* ... hey... what's wrong? *immediately starts kicking himself for asking such a stupid question*

Harry: *asleep*

Key: *is silent for a little bit, then finally speaks, albeit very quietly* ...Alex isn't coming back..... nothing's going to change that.... *wipes the tears away with the back of her sleeve, but they still keep coming* need to move on...

Me: X)

Todd: *he sighs, but is glad to hear Key speak again* Well... if anything, he doesn't have to live in this Hell anymore... and... I GUESS that's a silver lining to this dark cloud... but hey... I've been where you are right now... I lost my dad a long time ago, and I really had a hard time coping with it... but then Harry came along and gave me a shoulder to cry on... and he kinda helped me get back into things... I can help you... I can help cope... I can be that shoulder for you to cry on, if you need me to be...

Harry: *asleep*

Me: now it's my turn to go aww. <3

Key: *sniffles a bit* th-thank you. *scoots a bit closer and hooks her arm with his, letting tears flow freely*

Todd: *he lets her, smiling at her sympathetically. Todd felt like a good person again*

Harry: *asleep*

Key: *cries it out for a bit, and eventually falls asleep there*

Todd: *refuses to move from that spot. He very much likes it there*

*The next morning*

Harry: *to Key* get up. We're leaving.

Todd: Already?

Harry: There's a few turkey sandwiches in a fridge in there *he points to a room to the left* we're leaving as soon as we can, since the Safe Zone is close now. We can't risk anything.

Key: mmkay... *blinks herself awake, and absently realizes the position she's in. she slowly pulls her arm out from the crook of Todd's arm, and stands up, using the wall as a support. she goes towards the fridge to grab food*

Todd: *follows her and grabs a sandwich for himself* Hey Harry, did you already eat?

Harry: Yes.

Todd: Oh, well, ok. *he unwraps his sandwich and tries eating it as fast as he can*

Key: *slings her bag over her shoulder, and waits for the rest of them to finish... she still feels extremely apprehensive of Harry* ....

Harry: Ok... who the hell knows how long it will take to reach the next safehouse. Be prepared. Keep your eyes and ears open, alright?

Todd: *nods* Uh... yeah...

*they walk for an hour or two*

Key: *is silent the whole way. she does her best to stay alert so Harry won't yell at her, but is still rather distraught* ...

Horde: SCREEEEEAAAUUUUUHHHH!!

Harry: ... get ready.

Todd: >:( ... *readies his claws*

Horde: *THEY COME*

Key: *is hiding behind a concessions counter. she's drawn her legs up to her chest,wrapped her arms around them, and rested her forehead on her knees, crying silently. why did harry want her dead? because it was her fault? she really WAS alone now, wasn't she? Even her traveling partners wanted her gone...*

Todd: *after a bit of running around, he manages to find her* Key... *he walks over to her, and sits down beside her* ... I'm, uh... I'm sorry you had to hear that from Harry... he's not... well... I don't know WHAT he is anymore...

Key: ! *registers his presence, and looks up at him. her hood was pulled down farther over her face, but you could tell she was still crying from how her shoulders were shaking, and the tears on the lower half of her face* ...

Todd: ... Hey... he doesn't... well... I'm sure he really does value you as a teammate - as a friend... but things are... VERY hard right now... *he places a sympathetic hand on her shoulder* It'll be alright though, in the end. You can count on that - but only if we stick together.

Key: *stares at him for a bit, then looks at the floor* .... *after a few seconds, she slowly nods once, though she still seems very distrsught* ....

Todd: ... you probably don't think very highly of me right now... after all, it was a Hunter that killed... him... and I'm really REALLY sorry about that... ... I shouldn't be talking about that... I shouldn't... sorry... again...

Key: ...!! *buries her face in her arms and begins to cry again at the almost-mention of Alex. the last thing she had left--gone. just like that.*

Todd: D8> !! Ahh! I'm sorry! Please don't cry! Nnn... *not knowing what else to do, he gives her a bear hug (hunter hug)*

Key: *turns and cries into Todd's hoodie, feebly attempting to hug him back. she just needed to cry it out right now... she had been bottling it up for a while now...*

Me: *POINTS* AAAH!! AAH! IT HAPPENED!! D8 my dream... omg.

Me: XDDDDD

Todd: Right just... yeah... you'll feel better after this, so... just try getting it all out, alright...? *pats her on the back*

Key: *does as she is told. she hugs him a little bit tighter. at least someone still cared...*

Todd: *he is silent for a moment, letting Key silently cry on his shoulder. Then...* Uh... you didn't hear what Harry said AFTER he threatened you, right?

Key: *her crying slows down a bit... she shakes her head. she didn't hear it... but why was he asking? she tilts her head up slightly to look at him* .....

Todd: *he is noticeably relieved* Oh, okay... just wondering... heh, sorry - that seemed kind of random, didn't it?

Key: *doesn't respond. she looks at him for a few more seconds then looks back down, never etting go of Todd. her crying's slowed, but her shoulders still shake from time to time.*

Todd: *feels quite comfortable like this, however this feeling alone is what eats at him - was it possible to feel bad about liking someone? Yes. Yes it was. Because his feelings for her only made Alex's death seem more like a sign of some sort. Todd, he admitted to himself, felt like a very horrible person*

Key: *her breathing becomes more regular now--she's stopped crying. she doesn't move from that spot, but she doesn't know why. she hasn't realized that she feels something for Todd yet, but she knows she feels comfortable around him... suddenly that day where she was attacked by a Hunter felt like a long time ago*

Todd: ... Key... can you walk? Shoot a gun? We need to prove to Harry that you can still fight...

Key: ... *nods, and reluctantly releases Todd. she grabs the edge of the counter to help herself stand up, and starts walking back to where Harry is, stopping and glancing over her shoulder once to make sure Todd was following*

Me: dozing off. i'll see if i can get a post in in the morning, but if i don't... happy winter break to you. X3

Me: Are you going somewhere over break? D:

Todd: *walks right beside her, ready to defend her if Harry crosses the line*

*they reach the third member of the group - Key's attacker*

Harry: *glares at them both when they come into view, but he was already feeling some guilt from the cruel words he barked out before. He doesn't show this.* So... you came back.

Todd: Key's fit to travel.

Harry: If you die for her, it will be all in vain. I swear to you that I will kill her if that happens.

Todd: She can defend herself, Harry. >:/

Key: *nods, and pulls her guns out of her bag as proof, briefly pointing them at Harry before putting her arms down*

Me: yep. two weeks in Puerto Rico. Dunno how much internet time I'll have.

Harry: *is not fully convinced, but decides to allow the walk to continue, lest this devolve back into yelling and empty threats. He can't help, however, how his words are spat out like little bullets; sharply, and fast* ... fine. We'll travel today.

Todd: *puts a hand on Key's shoulder again* THERE we go. Alright, so, you guys get your stuff, okay?

Harry: *he grunts, then retrieves his gas mask and gun bag*

Me: Aw... well, have fun!

Key: *eyes widen* ohhhhh no. this is not good...

Alex: a tank... go figure. *aims a smug smile at Todd.*

Key: Harry... same as last time?

Todd: *glares at Alex*

Harry: *his nervousness is shielded by his mask* Only if you promise not to do something stupid, like you did last time. Same deal as before - stay close, run and shoot.

Todd: But... but wait, I can't use guns! D:

Harry: Todd, stay with us, and... don't get killed, alright?

Todd: ... that's not very reassuring...

Tank: *smashes out of the wall of a building on their left side* GGUUUAAALLLLHH!!

Todd: HOLY shoot!!

Harry: *starts shooting and running, running and shooting* LET'S GO! Watch out for other specials!

Todd: *runs with them* D:> Eh??

Alex: *unloads on the monster, aiming for its chest and head*

Key: *is doing the same*

Both: *ARE RUNNING LIKE HELL*

*they continue running and shooting (except for Todd, who can't shoot)*

Todd: Hey! Hey, wait! Wait a sec'! I've - I've got an idea!

Harry: *shooting* IS IT GOING TO GET YOU KILLED??

Todd: uhhh... maybe!

Harry: frack, Todd - NO!

Todd: Yes! Trust me! Keep running! *comes to a halt. He crouches, and waits for the Tank*

Harry: *gets hysterical from this* frack!! frack, TODD RUN!! SON OF A dog - YOU frackING RUN, GODDAMN IT!!

Todd: *not running. Waiting* ...

Tank: *CHARGING REALLY FAST*

Key: TODD!!!! D8> *keeps shooting at the Tank*

Alex: *is rather impressed by Todd's bravery-- stupidity? he keeps shooting*

Tank: *COMES IN AT TOP SPEED AND IS ABOUT TO PUNCH TODD OUT OF THE WAY WHEN --*

Todd: *shoots himself off the ground, and aims his claws at the Tank's head. The force of impact is so powerful, that Todd's sharp nails pierce the Tank's skull, and hit whatever is left of it's brain*

Tank: RAAUUULLLLLHHHhhhh...hh... *falls over backwards*

Todd: *leaps off of it* ... holy crap...

Harry: D8 ...

Key: *stares in disbelief. any words that come out are unintelligible gibberish* ah...b-but...you the... O.O;

Alex: *jaw drops. he was right-- the guy still had his hunter tendencies. there's no other way Todd could've done that.* .....

Todd: *backs away from the Tank's body* ... w-well then... uh... it worked! Hah, shoot, I thought I was gonna die. >:D *he points at Alex, hands still stained with the Tank's brains and blood* They're not so bad, ALEX.

Harry: Uh... so... ok then. So let's get out of here. Quickly, please.

Alex: Maybe not for a hunter, TODD.

Key: Oh, come on guys. we rally need to move. *grabs Alex's arm as if to tug him along*

Alex: *shakes her hand off* No. I'm not traveling with THAT anymore. *gestures towards Todd at the word "that"*

Key: W-What are you talking about, Alex? Todd's one of us, not an infected! D:< WE NEED TO GO.

Harry: We don't have any time for this - we need to MOVE.

Todd: I do NOT like your attitude. D:<

Hunter: *stalking form a roof*

Alex: I do NOT like that fact you still don't have a bullet in your head!

Key: *outraged disbelief* ALEX! How can you even SAY something like that?!?! Todd's always been nothing but helpful to us! D8<

Todd: Yeah! Remember that Tank I took down a few minutes ago?? THAT ONE??

Harry: WE. NEED. TO. MOVE.

Hunter: RAAAAIIIII!! *slams down onto Alex very suddenly, and immediately starts disemboweling him*

Everyone: !!!!!

Alex: !!! *is knocked down so forcefully his gun flies out of his hand. HE IS BEING DISEMBOWELEDDDDD*

Key: ALEX!!! D8> *unloads on the Hunter, intending to make it swiss cheese*

Hunter: *manages to shove it's fist into Alex's stomach before dying*

Todd: AH, frack! D8>

Harry: We NEEDED to move... this is WHAT HAPPENS...

Key: No, no, no... *drops EVERYTHING and runs over to Alex, shoving the hunter off him* no no no no no no.... *is reduced to gawking at him and mouthing the word over and over because she can't make any sound anymore. she knows she can't save him. she knows she can't do ANYTHING except watch.*

Alex: *dying. he tilts his head to the side, looking at Todd* heh.... i knew a hunter would be the end of me. *is almost joking when he says this. he looks up at Key* ....I'm s-sorry.

Key: no, no, no, no....

Alex: *gives her a pained smile, then his head tilts off to the side. He's dead*

Key: No.... no, no, no, NO! ALEX!! *is now alone. she has nothing left of her old life. absolutely nothing. she is alone again*

Todd: ... Key? D:>

Harry: We need to get out of here before something else happens. NOW.

Todd: Key... *as if it was HIS fault* I-I'm sorry that happened... D:>

Key: *doesn't move* no, no, no....

Harry: *takes her by the arm and forcefully pulls her away from the body* WE NEED TO GO!

Todd: D8 HARRY!

Key: *is pulled up without protest, her eyes still locked on the body. she just keeps mouthing the same word, no no no*

Todd: Key, you gotta... I... I don't know... just please stop looking at it... D:>

Harry: *now dragging her away* You want to stay here and die? You wanna be with your useless boyfriend? You just need to tell me, and I swear to god I will shoot you down here if you DON'T frackING MOVE.

Todd: *isn't very happy with Harry for being so nasty towards Key* How the hell can you say that to her...? D:<

Harry: Before the apocalypse, I would've let her mourn. Now? Now if you mourn, you'll be the next corpse.

Key: *slowly turns away from the corpse, but is still unresponsive, and doesn't resist Harry dragging her around or respond to his words... she just stares at the ground, the same simple word still echoing in her head*

Todd: D:> ... *has to follow along with them*

Harry: Such bullshoot... *he shakes his head angrily*

Key: *is dragged along* .....

*they eventually reach the safehouse - the lobby of a movie theater*

Harry: *bars the door*

Todd: *puts a hand on Key's shoulder* Key... please, say SOMETHING... D:>

Harry: She just lost Alex, and you look like the creature that killed him. She won't respond.

Todd: <:C

Key: *doesn't respond. she doesn't even seem to notice anyone talking to her* ....

Harry: See? I knew it.

Todd: <8C ... *he wants to leave Key alone for now, but also very much DOESN'T. She was too silent for his comfort level*

Key: .......

Harry: *takes out a rag form one of his pouches, and cleans his gun* ...

Todd: *is upset because Key is upset* ...

Harry: so... a movie theater...

Todd: Please just go sleep...

Harry: I heard him insult you a bit last night. I think he's dead weight, anyway.

Todd: HARRY... please...

Harry: ... *finds a spot to sit down and sleep on*

Key: ....... *slowly looks up, but isn't really focusing on anything* .....

Todd: *he waits for Harry to fall asleep, then wanders over the the safehouse door and swears at himself over what had happened that day*

Infected: *spot him and try getting at him through the door*

Key: *registers some noise and slowly turns and absently looks in Todd's direction. she was still standing where Harry left her* ....

Todd: *notices Key looking at him (sort of)* ah... no, you also need to sleep... tha-that just needs to be your priority right now... it's important... *he walks over to her, and gently pulls her over to a wall* c'mon...

Harry: *sleeps*

Key: *again, doesn't resist, and follows him to the wall. she sort of figures out what she needs to do at this point and sits down against it, but is still otherwise unresponsive*

Todd: *stares down at her for a bit, before returning to the safehouse door. He sighs*

Harry: *sleeps*

Key: *stares at the floor* ...

THE NEXT MORNING.

Key: *is actually sound asleep*

Harry: *jolts awake to the sound of Todd choking* Wha-??

Todd: *is being strangled by a Smoker through the safehouse bars* Hhh-ck huh-hi - ACK - H- Harry...! *choke* HELP!

Harry: D8< !! *he picks up his shotgun, and fires it at the Smoker's face at point-blank range*

Smoker: *BOOMPH. DEAD.* AUUH!

Harry: Stay away from the safehouse door form now on.

Todd: I don't anything else to do...

Key: *is startled awake by the gunshot, and is standing in a heartbeat* !!!!!! *she realizes that the threat is gone, and resumes staring at the floor, still standing* ....

Todd: s-so... so we're going to continue the walk today...

Harry: No.

Todd: No?

Harry: If Key refuses to move, then no. We're not dragging her along.

Todd: But Harry... Harry, the CURE...

Harry: Do you think I care?

Todd: D:

Key: *seems to sense that they're talking about her and looks up* .....

Harry: *snaps at Key* OH, LOOK. LOOK AT YOU, MOVING ABOUT AN INCH. Maybe you'd be more useful as a corpse. MAYBE.

Todd: D8< ... HARRY...

Harry: WHAT?? Maybe you're right, Todd! Maybe we DO need to leave! MAYBE WE NEED TO LEAVE HER BEHIND!

Todd: Don't. fracking. Say that.

Harry: What should I say then, Todd? She's useless to us now, and if we try dragging her around, we'll all be killed - because of HER! Because she's nothing but a distraction now - a distraction to YOU!

Todd: WHAT?? D8<

Harry: I know exactly what's going on with you, Todd. I know, because of the way you and Alex treated each other. You seemed so disappointed too, when it turned out that he and Key were together...

Todd: *he is silent from rage, but also surprised that Harry knew about his feelings toward Key* DB< ...

Harry: You'll die trying to protect her. And if you die, I have no idea what might happen. I might kill myself. I might kill others. Who fracking knows. It's better to leave her and move on.

Todd: No. No, like you said before, we're staying until she can move on her own again.

Key: *she DID understand what Harry was yelling about. she knew it. she knew it was her fault. all her fault. they were going to die because of her. Just like Alex. Just like everyone else. She ran farther into the lobby and didn't hear what Harry said about her being a distraction... only that she would be better to them dead. by the time they were done arguing, Key was gone, hidden in a corner of the safehouse*

Harry: *notices this* Oh, GOD - NOW she moves?? D8<

Todd: *he jerks his head over to where Key was* Key?? D8

Harry: Go find her, will you?

Todd: >:( *gives him the finger, then runs off to find her*

Alex: Not my fault the goddamn Charger moved. I sure as hell have never pointed a gun at you on purpose, as much as I've been tempted to.

Todd: Why? Because I'm a freak?? How the hell did Key hook up with you anyway - you're turning out more and more like an asshole!

Harry: *sleep*

Alex: *through his teeth* what do YOU know about Key? this whole time, i've been trying to find her,to protect her!

Todd: Well considering how you two got separated, I would say that you aren't doing a very good job! D8<

Harry: *sleep*

Lex: I WAS LEADING A MOTHERfrackING TANK AWAY FROM HER!

Todd: What the frack is a Tank?? Wait - no - You don't seperate in a zombie apocalypse! Haven't you ever watched any horror movies?? D8<

Harry: *sleep*

Alex: It was one or both of us! I'd rather she had lived than both of us be killed. Have you ever even SEEN a Tank?! Those things are like Chargers on fracking steroids, man. You'd rather i stayed with her and have both of us die??

Todd: If it was as big as you say, it's better to both fight against it and take it down together, than scramble around and get killed by something else. >:/

Harry: *sleep*

Alex: We didn't have any guns! We had NOTHING. She was running after she found out her family turned into one of them, *says this disdainfully, as if he had meant to say "you."* and ran to my place. We were caught off-guard. Don't imply that we were trying to get ourselves killed.

Todd: Alright, FINE. You separated because you had no guns. frack you. Why? Because you could've still ran TOGETHER. Sure, there's a "Tank" or whatever trying to kill you, but if you separate, the Tank's the least of your worries. That was a stupid choice. Key could've been killed!

Harry: *asleep*

Alex: WE were BOTH going to die, goddamnit! Can't you get that through your fracking head? Wait until we run into one of those motherfrackers, then we'll see who's in the wrong.

Me: I'm tempted to set a Tank loose the next day.

Todd: Hmph! Whatever! You just go back to sleep, alright? Maybe then you'll be more helpful tomorrow. >:C

Alex: *snorts, and closes his eyes* one of these days...

Todd: *sneers at him, then goes back to staring out the window*

THE NEXT DAY

Harry: *had woken up early. His night was awful, as he was once more plagued with nightmares that told what was supposed to happen - what should have been if he hadn't entered the Between World. He is jumpy that morning, and when Todd greets him, he nearly falls over*

Todd: Are you ok, Harry? D:

Harry: Y-yeah... yeah, I'm fine...

Key: *wakes up before Alex* mmmh. fooood? *noticed Harry's nervousness* .... you okay?

Harry: *quietly mumbling to yourself* 's never exactly moralizing to see yourself break someone's neck...

Todd: *he frowns noticeably, realizing that Harry had a not-so-nice nightmare*

Key: *didn't really catch what he said, but she can tell he had a rough night. she stands up* I'll go find food, okay?

Alex: *waking up* mrrrh...

Todd: *refuses to look at Alex*

Harry: 'morning. I take it you slept better than I did?

Alex: maybe.

Key: morning, Alex. *goes off to find food*

*there is no food available*

Todd: When'll we go?

Harry: *putting his gas mask on* when Key comes back.

Key: *comes back* nothing's left, guys. :/

Alex: *gets up and grabs his gun off the shelf* llllet's go, then.

Key: *nods, and grabs her bag off the floor*

*they exit the safehouse*

Todd: I hear something.

*a familiar rumbling takes on the ground*

Harry: ... oh no.